Minor League Roundup: Johnson City strikes back to beat Burlington

By Times-News

Published: Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 12:24 AM.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The Johnson City Cardinals pulled off an eighth-inning comeback to defeat the Burlington Royals two innings after the Royals produced a big rally in Appalachian League baseball Friday night.

The 6-5 outcome means Johnson City goes for a series sweep tonight.

Burlington (20-26) used three pitchers in the eighth inning, with Casey Turgeon’s two-out RBI single providing the winning run after the Cardinals (24-22) tallied on a wild pitch and a groundout against reliever Estarlin Cordero (1-1).

Leland Clemmons put the Royals ahead with a sixth-inning grand slam, marking his second home run of the season. Burlington added another run in the inning when Jose Martinez followed with a double and scored on Josh Banuelos’ two-out single.

Royals starter Scott Blewett gave up homers to Blake Drake and Oscar Mercado.

Banuelos, Chase Vallot and Manny Olloque all had two hits for Burlington.

International League

At Durham, Andy LaRoche drilled a three-run double with two outs in the first inning for all of the scoring for the Buffalo Bisons in their 4-3 victory against the Durham Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Bulls starter Matt Andriese (11-6), who was bidding to become the league’s second 12-game winner this year, issued a bases-loaded walk before surrendering LaRoche’s big hit.

Durham struck for three runs in the fourth, with Wilson Betemit’s double and Ray Olemedo’s single the big hits. The Bulls were denied more when Robby Price hit into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded. Durham failed to score in the ninth despite drawing two walks.

Sean Nolin (4-4) worked six innings for the victory.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers, the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year, is scheduled to make a rehabilitation start tonight for the Bulls. He’s slated to be the designated hitter.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The Johnson City Cardinals pulled off an eighth-inning comeback to defeat the Burlington Royals two innings after the Royals produced a big rally in Appalachian League baseball Friday night.

The 6-5 outcome means Johnson City goes for a series sweep tonight.

Burlington (20-26) used three pitchers in the eighth inning, with Casey Turgeon’s two-out RBI single providing the winning run after the Cardinals (24-22) tallied on a wild pitch and a groundout against reliever Estarlin Cordero (1-1).

Leland Clemmons put the Royals ahead with a sixth-inning grand slam, marking his second home run of the season. Burlington added another run in the inning when Jose Martinez followed with a double and scored on Josh Banuelos’ two-out single.

Royals starter Scott Blewett gave up homers to Blake Drake and Oscar Mercado.

Banuelos, Chase Vallot and Manny Olloque all had two hits for Burlington.

International League

At Durham, Andy LaRoche drilled a three-run double with two outs in the first inning for all of the scoring for the Buffalo Bisons in their 4-3 victory against the Durham Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Bulls starter Matt Andriese (11-6), who was bidding to become the league’s second 12-game winner this year, issued a bases-loaded walk before surrendering LaRoche’s big hit.

Durham struck for three runs in the fourth, with Wilson Betemit’s double and Ray Olemedo’s single the big hits. The Bulls were denied more when Robby Price hit into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded. Durham failed to score in the ninth despite drawing two walks.

Sean Nolin (4-4) worked six innings for the victory.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers, the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year, is scheduled to make a rehabilitation start tonight for the Bulls. He’s slated to be the designated hitter.